Catrin Finch joins eisteddfod line-up for 2019

To celebrate tickets going on sale to the general public Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced royal harpist Catrin Finch as the next addition to its evening concert line-up for 2019.

Harpist and composer to the Prince of Wales and vice president of the eisteddfod, Catrin Finch is one of the most accomplished and versatile harpists of her generation.

She joins a line up that already features jazz and bluesman Jools Holland, French-Mexican star tenor Rolando Villazón, salsa, pop and flamenco outfit Gipsy Kings and award-winning Celtic music band, Jamie Smith’s MABON.

Music Director of the festival, Edward-Rhys Harry, said: “We are very proud to announce Catrin as our next addition to the already star-studded line-up, which spans genres and generations, crossing the boundaries of age, culture and creed.

"There really is something for everyone and we’ll be adding even more early in the New Year, with the announcement of our Llanfest headliners for 2019.”

* Tickets are on sale to the general public and can be purchased online at www.llangollen.net or via the box office.

New Audi A6 comes out from the shadows

* The Audi A6.

* Audi A6 cabin.

Audi A6 road test by Steve Rogers

WHO'D be a car salesman trying to shift a big saloon?

Everyone is buying SUVs, aren't they?

Well yes, but there must be a decent market for premium wheels because Audi has spent a bucket full of money developing the new A6.

Trendy SUVs have been flying out of the showrooms all year but top end saloons are still filling executive spaces in company car parks. That is where A6 comes in although the competition is hellishly tough with BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF, Mercedes E Class and the new Volvo S90 all wanting a slice of the cake.

A6 has always struggled against the highly rated 5 Series and more recently the much improved E Class which is why Audi has gone for broke with the new model.... and it shows.

There has been a big leap forward in technology, refinement, and comfort while the styling mirrors the new design theme seen in A4 and A8 and for me it is now the best looking of the trio.

The car is longer and wider and looks great in S Line trim sitting that little bit lower on the road. Of course the big winner is cabin space where a six foot back seat passenger can sit behind a six foot driver and not feel short changed on leg room. The extra legroom has not compromised boot space which is substantial and can be extended with the seat backs dropped.

No one in the premium sector can trim a cabin like Audi yet they have managed to make A6 look even plusher. The materials are top notch, the finish superb and it looks all the more special with the new twin screen layout first seen in new A8.

In S Line models you get a 10 inch top screen for navigation, radio, mobile phone connections etc with an 8.6 inch screen below for heating controls and the brilliant 12.3 inch virtual cockpit which fills the driver's binnacle with a Google map and dials which are interchangeable for size. Clever stuff.

Everything is digital and selected by touch and I particularly liked the soft click letting you know the selection has been successful. Another neat touch is the increase in backlighting when a hand hovers over switches to the side of the steering wheel.

The amount of information stored in Audi's MMI interface is incredible, pretty much what you get on a home computer. Trouble is it takes a lot of homework to find it and then remembering how you got there.

Both my wife and I remarked that the rear camera could do with a washer but it was five days before we found it had the very function, and in this case easy to find. It's just there is so much going on and some functions will never be used because they will never be found.

Driving new A6 really is something to look forward to. I used to steer friends away from S Line models because the ride wasn't up to scratch but the new suspension, which transformed A4, has done the same here. Even in sport mode the car is settled over poor surfaces while silky smooth is the order of the day on motorways which is where A6 will ply most of its trade.

Audi has developed a new four cylinder two-litre diesel which is so refined it could pass for a V6. With 400Nm of torque pick up is brisk and can catch you out. I put my foot down on a motorway slip road and was surprised to see I was doing 80mph in a flash. Sorry officer but I wanted to get safely ahead of the traffic.

But performance is not the big story here. It is economy. I had to do a double take when I noticed I got 53mpg on a 170 mile mainly motorway journey. We must have had a tail wind on the way home because it went up to 55mpg! That is astonishing considering I was nearly always hovering around 70mph and probably helped by the mild hybrid system which kills the engine when coasting between 34 and 99mph.

The engine is so quiet the driver is unlikely to notice anything has changed. I certainly didn't.

Perhaps for the first time in a long time A6 can offer itself as the best executive car. It no longer lives in the shadow of the BMW 5 Series, that's for sure. All four rivals mentioned earlier have their own special qualities and the final decision may come down to brand loyalty.

Fast facts

Audi A6 40 TDI S Line

£41,110

2-litre turbo diesel; 200bhp

0-62mph 8.1secs; 152mph

62.8mpg combined

117g/km. 1st year road tax £205

Insurance group 36

New Dot's special Christmas screenings

* A scene from It's a Wonderful Life.

New Dot Cinema are holding two free screenings of the well-loved vintage classic, It's a Wonderful Life tomorrow (Friday) and everyone is invited.

Doors open for a Relaxed Matinee at 2:30pm, and for the evening show at 7:30pm.


Both shows will be preceded by some toe-tapping swing music and extra special festive fare such as mince pies, hot drinks and a licensed bar.

Mulled wine and hot chocolate will also be available at the evening screening. Mainfloor or wheelchair spaces can be reserved by emailing hello@newdotcinema.org


In lieu of a ticket, people are invited to bring a Christmas gift, to be distributed by either Welsh Women's Aid, Wrexham or Mike & Val Connolly's Llangollen Community Christmas Lunch.

Welsh Women's Aid has suggested unwrapped gifts for women aged 18 and over such as toiletry gift sets and nightwear.

Mike and Val have suggested wrapped Christmas gifts such as festive treats, chocolates or other stocking fillers. New Dot will be supplying a gift wrapping table for anyone to make use of.

There will also be a collection bucket for those who would prefer to make a cash donation to Welsh Women's Aid.

New Dot's Spring 2019 programme is also set to be released on the night.

The volunteer-run community cinema is starting the new year with an exciting change, offering twice as many films a month. More details will soon be available at www.newdotcinema.org, on Twitter or Facebook.

Tidy Town Team celebrates another successful year

Members of Llangollen Tidy Town Team celebrated another successful year - the 13th - with their annual Christmas dinner held this time at the Wild Pheasant last night (Wednesday).

County advises on Christmas taxi safety

Denbighshire County Council is urging residents to stay safe this Christmas and book taxis in advance of their evening out.

Unlicensed taxis are a common problem across the country and with the Christmas party season in full swing it's important to know how to tell an unlicensed taxi from a licensed one, says the council.

 

All vehicles will be identified by individually numbered plates front and back with hackney carriage vehicles also having a roof sign, while all drivers will carry ID badges.

Cllr Tony Thomas, the council’s lead member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: "Unlicensed taxis may seem to offer a better deal but it's not worth risking your safety to save a few pounds. These vehicles are not insured as taxis and the drivers have not gone through the rigorous checking involved in the licensing process.

“Licensing officers will be carrying out checks to ensure no unlicensed taxis are operating in the area. Never get in a taxi without first checking that it's the one you have booked or that it's a legitimate Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle.”

When the party is over and you need to get home, remember these guidelines about council licensed taxis:

•             Hackney Carriage Vehicles have a plate attached to the front and rear of the vehicle displaying the vehicle details and licence number.

•             Hackney Carriages can ply for hire from designated taxi ranks and can pick up passengers who flag them down.

•             Private Hire Vehicles have a blue sign attached to the rear doors of the vehicle showing the licence and a plate at the rear of the vehicle displaying the vehicle details and licence number.

•             Private Hire Vehicles can only be booked in advance through an operator.

Never get in to a vehicle that does not display an appropriate plate at the rear. It is not insured and may not be licensed. Ensure that the driver is displaying a council approved driver's badge. For your own safety, always take a council licensed vehicle - the driver and vehicle have both been vetted.

Cllr Hugh Irving, chair of Denbighshire’s licensing committee, said: “Don't let a good night out be ruined by an unlicensed taxi. Always book in advance or make sure you have the number of several local taxi firms stored in your mobile phone before going out.

“Before getting in a taxi ensure the driver knows the destination and always sit in the back. Make sure that you're picked up and dropped off somewhere familiar and well lit, however if you feel uneasy with the driver ask him to stop at a busy, familiar place and get out.”

New Three Eagles opens for business next week

* The Three Eagles team line up ahead of the opening.

The Three Eagles is set to throw open its doors for business next week.

Its management team says reservations are already flooding in from people eager to sample its food and drinks.

Located on Bridge Street in historic Grade II-listed former coaching-inn the Wynnstay, The Three Eagles has been a work in progress over recent months with the building having been subject to extensive renovation works.

As the project nears completion, a strong management team have been assembled.

The majority of them originate from the local area, with almost all having attended Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Until now many of them had spent years plying their trade away from the town – some internationally.

Heading up the  team is general manager Amy Cross. A local farmer’s daughter, she has worked in the hospitality industry since her university days in Liverpool.

Having worked her way around the mountains, lakes and coastline of Wales, she brings over 15 years of experience to the table. Amy spent the last three years in Ireland, leading an award-winning restaurant through its launch in Dublin.

She has a track-record of launching a number of new fine dining restaurants, achieving recognition in the Michelin Guide having fronted a restaurant by 2-Michelin-Star chef Michael Caines MBE.

“It’s such an exciting time not just for the Three Eagles but for Llangollen and North Wales tourism as a whole. The Three Eagles will provide Llangollen with such an important boost for the local economy and it is a real privilege to be part of this journey from the very beginning”, said Amy.

“With the venue’s inception, some excellent career opportunities have been created. It’s the vision and commitment to a better Wales that the Three Eagles represents that has drawn these high flyers home, resulting in the creation of a first-class team. What we’re hoping will be key to our future success is the continued development of our staff.”  

Amy joins experienced international chefs Adam Gaunt-Evans and Oliver Potter at the Three Eagles.

Assistant managers Nicole Farrell and Kim Watson also come with their own expertise.

Nicole has been a driving force behind the exclusive Llangollen wedding venue Tyn Dwr Hall whilst Kim has previously worked in a managerial position for a national gastro pub/restaurant chain.

Their fellow assistant manager Harry Hickson, from over the English border, compliments the team bringing years of managerial experience which meant travelling the globe as far as Australia building his wine knowledge.

Owners of The Three Eagles Matt and Vicky Jones say the concept of the venue has always been about showcasing the very best elements of Llangollen and the surrounding region.

Matt said: “When we set out in the beginning it was very important to us that we created opportunities here in Llangollen – first and foremost for Llangollen people. And that is exactly what The Three Eagles has done.

"The team have come home to take on this exciting project with us and I think that should give some indication as to just how impressive The Three Eagles is going to be.”

* To find out more about The Three Eagles, Llangollen go to www.thethreeeagles.co.uk

MP calls for vote of no confidence in government

Clwyd South's Susan Elan Jones is among several prominent Welsh Labour politicians who have urged the party's UK leader to table a vote of no confidence in Theresa May's government.

It follows the decision to defer a vote on Brexit on Monday.

Labour was granted an emergency debate on Tuesday on the issue after claiming MPs had been "disregarded".

But the party rejected calls to table a vote of no confidence in Mrs May, with Labour officials arguing it had more chance of success when the Brexit deal came back before MPs.

However, some Welsh Labour politicians have urged Mr Corbyn to act.

MPs Susan Elan Jones (pictured), Tonia Antoniazzi, Madeleine Moon, Geraint Davies, Chris Bryant and Owen Smith have all signed a letter to the Labour leadership from Ian Murray asking for a no confidence vote, followed by another referendum.

The Prime Minister is today meeting European leaders and EU officials for talks aimed at rescuing her Brexit deal.